It is meant to be the time when you relax and reflect, but it seems many Australians are unprepared for their retirement.

Nearly 90 per cent of Australian women do not have enough superannuation, according to The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).

On International Women's Day, they are being urged to take control of their super.

"The vast majority of women retiring over the next 10 to 15 years are going to struggle," ASFA's Pauline Vamos said.

"In fact, it's going to be almost impossible for them to maintain the sort of lifestyle they had before they stopped working."

Fifty-year-old nurse, wife, and mother of three Liz Dolling has only recently realised she has a serious superannuation shortage.

The recommended amount of super for someone her age is $340,000, but she only has $50,000.

In my age group a lot of us were brought up believing that our husbands would provide for us and they'd have so much money that we'd never have to worry about providing for our own retirement.

Liz Dolling

"In my age group a lot of us were brought up believing that our husbands would provide for us and they'd have so much money that we'd never have to worry about providing for our own retirement," Mrs Dolling said.

"I've got a lot of catching up to do, and I don't know how I'm going to do it by age 65.

"It means I'm going to have to work a lot harder for a lot longer."

Why the shortfall?

Women hold only 37 per cent of Australia's total superannuation savings, compared to 63 per cent for men.

Part of the reason is the wage inequality that exists between the sexes. Another major factor is maternity leave.

Many women do factor in lost wages when they give up work to look after children, but financial advisers, like Matt Smith from Altus Financial, say they do not always consider the impact on their superannuation.

"They don't, and interestingly if you look at how paid maternity leave currently works, there's actually no provision for superannuation there anyway, which I think is reflective of the lack of understanding of the importance of super," he said.

Analysts say in general it is older women who are more likely to have a superannuation shortfall.

The longer they spent in the workforce before superannuation became compulsory 20 years ago, the more pronounced the shortage is likely to be.

"We have a lot of marriages that do break down," Ms Vamos said.

The vast majority of women retiring over the next 10 to 15 years are going to struggle... It's going to be almost impossible for them to maintain the sort of lifestyle they had before they stopped working.

Pauline Vamos

"And a lot of these women will be single during their retirement, and this poses a particular challenge for them."

What's the advice?

The advice for everyone is to take an active interest in super, simplify it by rolling all your super accounts into one, and make regular voluntary contributions.

"The next thing is to do is to consider accessing what's called the Government's co-contribution scheme, which enables you to get the government to give you a hand in building up your superannuation balance," Mr Smith said.

In the meantime, the Government is lifting compulsory super contributions from 9 to 12 per cent over the next seven years.

But there is growing concern it may also increase tax levies for those with super savings of $1 million or more.

Mrs Dolling says the sooner other women realise their superannuation shortfall, the better.

"I'm making a concerted effort to double my contributions and to do everything I can to increase my superannuation so that I can retire a little bit more comfortably," she said.